4 OCTOBER 2008, Page 71

Q. I have just lost my job and was really

quite pleased about it since I will be getting a pay-off and I want to do some travelling. However, what is making me depressed is the number of friends who ring up and tell me I am sounding really depressed. I don’t want to get into a situation where I seem as though I am protesting too much. How should I respond?

Name and address withheld A. Prevent the nuisance by using a tried and tested technique for conveying cheeriness over the telephone. When it rings, walk towards it with a fixed grin on your face. Keep the grin on for as long as possible. You will soon see an end to the nuisance as callers remark on how happy you sound.